Storage and dispensing apparatus



Aug. 31, 1943. c. HANSEN I 2,328,030

STORAGE AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 27, 1941 INVENTOR. 'c/w/srm/v A. HAA/Jfn/ ATTORNEY.

,I U ITEDSTA i Farmers, and others in rural "Patented Aug. 31, 1943 ES PATENT ,oFFlc I s'roRAGEA Nn DISPENSING APPARATUS f r a a Christian L. Hansen, Pewaukee, Wis. Application octets-t7, 1941, SerialNo. 416,681 501mm; (01."2215-67) This invention relates to improvements instorageand dispensingapparatus adapted for thebulk storage and convenient use of gasoline, other liquid fuels,or thejlikeL i country, find it desirable to purchase gasoline or a the like in barrels because of the lower cost when purchased in bulk, and also to insure having an adequate supply of fuel on hand Whilejthis practiceis desirableand satisfactory in the sumsections of the comparatively inexpensive tomanufacture and mer, and in other timesof the seasons of the i year when rapid changes in temperature are not experienced, it is not practical or satisfactor in winter, orjwhena wide variationin temperature occurs, forthe reason that when the barrel is only partially full, themoisture suspended in the air within the barrel and above the surface or the fuel will condense or collect on the exposed inner drop in temperature. During the day when the sun is shining and the air is warm, andliquid flows in the top of the barrel, as the liquid flows out, will contain a considerable amount of suspended moisture, and then, in theevening or at night, when the temperature drops; and the barrel becomes. chilled,, this moisture jwill icollect, or

condense onthe exposed inner surfaces of the barrel and will find its way into the fuel. This dimculty obtains not onlyon farmsand' in rural novel'featuresof the construction,arrangement, and combination ofparts which will be herein wsurfaces of thebarrel above the liquid fuel level when the barrel becomeschilled upon a sudden;

fuel is dispensed irom thebarrel, tit airflthat areas but also in various kinds of field work, such v{tan-rig d building, excavating, threshing, and all,

1 kindsof out-doortypexof workwhere his a p a e ticalnecessity to have a bulk supply of motor or burner fuel onthe location where the operation isbeing carried out; Of course, this problem does not ,obtain where it isf easibleto employ underground tanks, but such tanks and their installation" are expensive and require pumps for dispensing the liquid therefrom. i,

, i The objectofthe present invention is to -pro vide a "storage and dispensing, apparatus which will prevent condensation or deposit of moisture on the inner wall of the tank 'or receptacle con- The apparatus is designed and adapted for outside installation at any convenienthlocation,

and while insuring the provision of a bulk supply of liquid fuel will precludethe condensation of the moisture in the walls of the tank or receptacle containing the fuel; thereby preserving the structural integrity" of the receptacle, inasmuch as rusting thereof is prevented, and also precludin faulty carburizationkof theiuel by preventing a'mixtureof water therewith.

Other objects and advantages reside in certain after more fully described and particularly pointed out in the' appended claims,reference being; had to the accompanying drawing forming apart of this specification, and in which:

Q Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a storage partswbeing broken away and parts being shown I in horizontal cross section ior'the'sake of illustratiomand 1 a a @Figures 4 and 5 are views-in vertical cross section illustrating theconstruction, of the valve thesamein closed and outlet fitting and showing open position, respectively. i

nererrmg to the drawing it will beseen that a storage and" dispensing apparatus embodying the present invention comprisesfan outer housing taining the liquid, fuelywhich will facilitate dis pensing of the fuel, which will eliminate or mini mizeflre or explosion hazards, which will provide a storage space for smaller dispensing containers,

such as filling cans or the like, which will automatically dissipate any fumes from such storage space or from other parts of the apparatus, and

which is' simple and durable in construction, f

reliabla eflicient and safe in ruse, and easyand designated generally at l0, an inner receptacle or tank designated generallyat l I, and disposed within the housing I U,an outlet fitting desig nated generallyat 12 at the bottom of the tank or receptacle H and connected to a dispensing hose 13 having aconventional yalved nozzle 14 at'its outer end. The housing in cylindrical body portion L5 preferably ,constituted of corrugated sheetrnetal of appropriate heavy gauge.- An angle iron base ring 16 is interfitted with and suitably securedto themar gin of the lower end of the body portion l 5 ;lthe, 7

vertical flange of the angle iron ring 16, being engaged with the crestsof "the inwardly directed corrugations of the body portion Iiwhile the horizontal flange of the angle iron projects but:

includes i e ti disp sed provides for the fir-mbolting of the apparatus to its foundationbut electrically grounds the structure and provides for drainage of the compartment 56 as well asproviding space for admission of air thereto. A domed top or roof 2| is provided for the upper end of the housing and is also constituted of sheet metal of appropriate gauge. In theconstruction illustrated, the roof 2l'is circular" or disc-like in form and it is securely" assembled with the housing by means of a connecting angle iron ring 22 which has its vertical flange fitted within. and secured to 'the'upper; end of the housing, and which has its horizontalflange underlying the ,top' on roof adjacent its periphery'and secured thereto by screws or other suitable fastening devices 2'3. lheltop or. roof is of greater diameter than the housing so; that the outer-'marginal portion thereof overhangs the outer peripherYOf the housing. At its center the roof or topZl is provided with ano-pening 24, A hood or cowlifi is assembled with. the opening-Hand.iseonstructed to facilitate the exit of fumes or gases; and air from the interior of the housing l p while preventing the ingress of moisture-just, rain, snow, or the like, into the interior of the housing through'the opening at the top. a H

. Thehousing i0 is provided at one place inits periphery witlra vertical door opening, designated generally at .38 the housing being cut .awayto providejado-or opening, and the ve-rti cal edges of the door opening being doubled upon themselves or" are otherwise suitably reinforced togstiir'en and strengthen them and are also. out turned. so as to, present. outturned doubled flange formationswhich constitute the lambs or] side posts of the doorway. A door"32 is pr oyidedhfor the, doorway and preferably comprises abody portion iii/constituted ofv corrugated sheet metal similar in structure to thefsheet metal which makes up the housin proper; The door issuiliably framed and this may be accomplished by folding or doubling vertical side edge portions of. the door, as. indicated at 34, and by welding or'jotherwise' securing to the upper "and lower edges thereof tra'nsversenie'tal frame pieces, 35.

l-iingestfi pivotally supportone side offthe door ondth'e housing; fWhe'n the door 'is closed it may head to the body of the tank, may be employed for both end heads, although it is also feasible to have one of the end heads, for example the upper end head 4!, of cupped formation and inset and welded to the. body portion, or may even be integral therewith; The inner tank or receptacle is supportedwithin; the housing by means of a supporting ring 4d of angle iron, the ring having its vertical flange secured to the crests of, the inwardly directedcorrugations of the body portion of the housing, if": desired, and having its horizontal flange engaging the peripheral portion of the bottom of the tank of the receptacle 1 l.

A very rigid and secure sup port for. the ring 44 may be had by providing a suitable number of supporting legs 45. These legs 45, which may be constituted of channel irons,v are disposed vertically and are located at spaced angular intervals within the housing. The legs at are secured by bolts and nuts 46 and ll: to they supporting ring; 44 andbase ring 16;, respectively. Furthermorathe lower-ends oi of the receptacle is provided with a removable be releasably securediin'v closed position by any suitable lock or, fastener which isfhere illustrated for purposes of illustration, as the keeper-'56 securedtothe housingand a hasp 3'! pivoted on the door and desig'nedto fit over the staple oi the keeperand to. be secured. in'such position by. a padlock or any suitable lock (notshownl, The innertank or receptacle H is smaller. than the housing. Usually it will be constructedof plain or galvanized'sheet steel having a suitable capacity, such as a lift gallon or twobarrel ca- 7 pacity,1or' perhaps even .a greater or lesser. ca pacity. The tank [I comprises acylindrical body {portion lti equipped with upper and lower end heads 4! and 42; These end heads may be 'seained to the; ends of the body portion inany.

suitableway. For examplaaseam such asthe seam 4 3 illustrated, asv connecting; the lower, end

trolled: ,by't-he. handznozz Inithiss, construction it. will beznoted'that there 7 filling plug, and with a, ventlfittingl 52; which. may be suitably valved, iLdesired, and the top or roof 2| is. provided with anfopening 5'3'above the. fill.- ing plug, 5| tn provide; for access thereto.v 'A hinged; lid or. closure. 54 is. provided for the open- 'ing. 53'.

At the center of the lower endhead flan outlet, opening 5511s provided. outlet nttmgfss is. applied to the'bottom .o11'the endfhead, {t2 around the outlet opening. and'jmay be welded in place. .An'elbow 5] is threaded. into this, outlet fitting, and is. connected by" suitablepi'pe fittings 513, 59, to an outlet. valve. '60. jThofcasingBi of this valve. receives the. valverplug' EYZZwhioh isof the'type having axial and ra'd'ijatp'orts; or passages theaxial passage havin nected'therewith to facilitate tll ejconnection of the valve with the dispens-inghose- When the nipple 63 is moved to its vertical position, as shownin Figure- 4, the ports are'disconnect-ed and the; valve closed "When itismoved to-its horizontal position, shown Figure 5, the

ports are alinement andthevalveis opened. 'To close the val-ve after using, it isonl'y'neces sitien and ol'oses the valve i=2. Thedoor 32* is then closed and it l rolds the hose I 3 in the vertical position. When it "is desired; to: drain fluid. from the. tank, the; door isope'ned arrdzthehose t3; moved. to. substantially: horizontalipositiona .'I'lL's;1noves the nipple kh to: its horizontal posiztion, openingthaivalivez Blow clan thenibe: cone fandfree. communication Withthe: enclosed air .spaceor. compartment H providedibetweenuthe ipof or top; 2:! and theiuppeniendw ll; of: the-tank,

' nipple 63' cons ture of the outside air.

and this airspace and compartment 1! freely communicates W with the atmosphere through the cowl26. The lowerend of the stack 'W communicates with the compartment 50 through a multiplicity of airinlet or openings 15 deflnedbetween the verticalflange offthe sup-,

portingring 44 and the outwardly directed corrugations of the housing. Compartmentill communicates from the outside between the ring I6 and top of the foundation. With the apparatus the atmosphere. The housing not only encloses andprotects the'tank against the weather, but serves as a screen or shieldto protect it from the radiantheat of the sun. It also is constituted as an element of the means which provides' the flowaof airalong and around the tank under the partmentll and thence through the cowl 26 to ventilatingstack I0 insuring continuous circulation of the air up and around the tank ll under the influence of convection currents or natural draftto maintain a minimum differential between the temperature of the airwithin the tank andabove the liquid therein, and the temperainto the tank every time liquid fuel is drawn therefrom, it is obvious that by minimizing the diflerential between the two temperatures condensation or collection of moisture particles or drops on the exposed inner surfaces of the tank or receptacle will be precluded. Furthermore, the ventilating stack eifect of the structure absorbs and dissipates fumes of spilled or overflowing gasoline and the fumes from the gasoline filling tanks stored in the bottom compartment. The

air which is present in the stack 10 functions as an insulating shield or barrier which prevents radiant heat from reaching the metal of the inner tank. In the construction described, the air in the stack 10 has three functions, the insulating intake openings may be formed in the outer housing a proper distance above the base ring.

While I have shown and described one construction in which the invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to beunderstood that the construction shown has been selected merely for the purpose of illustration or example, and

that various changes in the size, shape, andarrangement of the partsmay be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A bulk storage apparatus for liquid fuel comprising an inner metallic tank for containing liquid fuel, a metallic housing enclosing and surrounding the tank in spaced relation thereto and ,coacting therewith to provide a stackalong and l around the tank, a cowl at the upper end of the housing cooperating with the stack to provide for As the outside air flows influence of convection currents, said tank being disposed in the housing withits lower end in spaced relation to the bottom thereof to provide a storage compartment for oil filling cans and the -like, an outlet valve at the bottom of said .tank,

said valve having a nipple movable to a vertical position to close said valve, a flexible hose connected to said nipple for'dispensing liquidfrom saidtank, saidhousing having a door to provide for access to the compartment and for operative extensionlof said flexible hose, releasable fastening means forisecuring the door in closed posi-' tion, said door when closed 1 coacting with the ,ficxible hose to retain the same invertical position in the stack to maintain said nipple in vertical positionand said valve closed.

2. A: bulk storageand-dispensing apparatus comprising an inner metallic tank for containing liquid fuel, an outer metallic housing enclosing and surrounding the tank in spaced relation thereto and coacting therewith to provide astack along and around the tank, a cowl'at the upper end of the housing and in cooperative relation to the stackto provide ;for flow of air through the stack under theinfluence of natural draft, said housing having a door extending the full height thereof to provide for access to the tank, and valve means for dispensing the liquid fuel from the tank which" can be opened only when the door is open and must be closed to close the door.

3. A bulk storage and dispensing apparatus of the character described comprising an inner metallic tank made up of the cylindrical body portion and end heads secured and hermetically sealed thereto, an outer metallic housing surrounding and enclosing the tank and comprising a cylindrical bodyportionconstituted of corrugated sheet metal, a base ring interfitted with thelower end of the body portion of the housing andadapted to be secured to and electrically grounded on a suitable foundation, a metallic roof forthe upper end of the housing, the lower end of the tank being in spaced relation to the lower end of the housing and the body portion and the upper end of the tank being in spaced relation to the body portion and roof of the housing respectively, means for supporting said tank, said means having portions extending beneath said base ring thereby to provide a stack extending around and along the tank from the space within the housing below the tank to the space in the housing above the tank, and a cowl at the center of the roof coacting with the space above the tank and with the stack around the same to provide for the flow of air under the influence of natural draft'from the outside into the space below the tank thence through the stack, through the space above the tank and the cowl to the atmosphere. I

4. A bulk storage and dispensing apparatus for liquid fuels comprising an inner metallic tank including a cylindrical body portion and end heads secured and hermetically sealed to the 037- lindrical body portion, an outer metallic housing enclosing and surroundingthe tank and made up of a cylindrical body portion of corrugated sheet metal disposed in spaced relation to the cylindrical body portion of the tank, a base interfltted with the lower end of the cylindrical body portion of the housing and adapted to be supported on and electrically grounded to a suitable foundation, a metallic roof for the upper end of the housing, the ends of the tank being disposed inspaced: relation to the ends oi the housing, and the cylindrical body portion of the. tank bein disposed in spaced relation. to the cylindricalhody portion oi the housing to. provide a stack extending around and along: the tank from the space below the tank to the: space abovethe same, a

supporting ring of angle iron formation having its. verticaliflange engaged with the crests of the inwardly directed corrugations, of the cylindrical body portion of the housing, means for maintaining the supporting ring in supporting engagement with the lower end of the tank, thevertical flange of the. supporting. ring and the outwardly directed corrugations of the cylindrical body per-t ceptacle for containing; liquid fuel, an, outer mes tallies housing enclosing and surrounding the tank and coasting therewith to provide a stack along and around: the housing, a cowl at the; upper. end

of the housing and in cooperative relation tothe st aokto provide for how oi air through the stack into the atmosphere. under the influence of natural draft, a valyedoutlet connected to the; bottom of the tank, a dispensing h se connected to said: valved outlet, said outlet being swingable to open and closed positions by the swinging of said hose, said housing having a door extending the full height, thereof for providing for access to said dispensing hose, said door when open providingfor the extension of said hose and its consequent opening of said valvedoutlet, to allow dispensing of liquid fuel fromv the tank, said hose being positionable in the stack when not in use and in such position closing the valved outlet,

releasable fastening means for securing the door hose in stored position and maintaining the valved outlet closed.

oiia s'rmn L. HANSEN. 

